Seattle Public Utilities needs help, and they aren't too proud to ask you for it.
When it rains, the city's 80,000 street drains become critical pieces of utility infrastructure that keep our neighborhoods from flooding. Each autumn the combination of falling leaves, which can clog street drains, and the onset of the storm season results in, dare we say, a perfect storm for flooding. And climate change toward wetter winters isn't going to make the picture any prettier.
Hence, Utilities (SPU) is launching a program aimed at creating a corps of volunteers to help clear out the most flood-prone of Seattle's street drains.
"Our full-time drainage crews cannot keep up with clearing out the thousands of storm drains that need extra maintenance this time of year," said Tom Gannon, creator of the city's new Adopt-a-Drain program. "We are asking for volunteers who will become active stewards of their neighborhoods' environment. Adoption is a quick and easy way to prevent flooding in our neighborhoods."
Signing up for the new program is easy. Visit www.seattle.gov/util or call the Adopt-a-Drain hotline, 684-7647. Leave your name, phone number and address; SPU will send you everything - gloves, bags, rakes, brooms, safety vests and shovels - to get started.
And you can get assistance with the disposal of collected leaves by calling 684-3000.
Whether you formally enroll in the program or not, here are some storm season tips:
1. Rake a drain. One of the best ways to protect your property is keeping drains clear of leaves and other debris. Completely remove leaves and debris from storm drains so they will not come back during the next storm. Place the leaves in your yard waste cart to be turned into compost. If you collect more leaves than you can dispose of, call 684-3000. If there is a blockage below the street surface that is not remedied by removing the leaves, call Seattle Public Utilities' Drainage and Wastewater Maintenance, at 206-386-1800.
2. Maintain gutters and downspouts. Clean your gutters and the drainage downspouts attached to your roof twice a year. Direct flows from downspouts away from your home, without discharging flows to adjacent properties.
3. Maintain drainage systems. Don't put grass clippings, leaves or other debris into the drains, ditches, creeks, culverts, gutters or ravines. (In fact, it's against the law.) If you live at the base of a hill or on a cliff, ensure that drainage and retaining walls are in good shape. Preventative planting can also help reduce the chance of a mud slide or flooding.
4. Assess your yard. Make sure the ground slopes away from your home. The area within 10 feet of your home should slope away from your house. Call a tree trimmer to inspect your trees and identify any hidden diseases or weak branches that could fall in high winds.
5. Inspect your roof. Check for leaks or damage to rain gutters that could cause a flat roof to flood.
6. Know where your shutoffs are. If flooding occurs, you'll need to know how to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves.
7. Keep your distance from downed power lines. Anyone seeing a downed line should immediately report it by calling 684-3000.
8. Use caution at darkened intersections. Treat any darkened intersection as a four-way stop, and be cautious of drivers who may not stop.
9. Don't invite carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not bring barbecue or other open flame sources into the home. Indoors, the smoke from open flame can lead to death or injury from carbon monoxide poisoning. For more information: www.metrokc.gov/health.
10. If you live in an apartment, remember that apartment buildings without power for prolonged periods of time will lose their fire-alarm systems. Management should conduct a fire watch to keep residents safe.
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